**Where Winds Meet: A Free-to-Play Experience Without Pay-to-Win Pitfalls**
*Where Winds Meet* features some mechanics that might initially raise the pay-to-win (P2W) alarm for many players. Its menus bear strong resemblance to those of free-to-play (F2P) gacha games, showcasing multiple currencies—including one locked behind real money—as well as Stamina and time-gating systems that limit how much progress you can make within a specific timeframe.
However, after playing the global betas and examining the game’s test run in China, I am happy to report that *Where Winds Meet* is not pay-to-win. Paying players gain only a negligible advantage, making the game as F2P-friendly as it gets, with zero pay-to-win allowances.
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### Currency and Progression Systems: Looks Can Be Deceiving
At first glance, *Where Winds Meet*’s menus might give off a faint impression of a P2W title. The in-game currency store offers a real-money currency called Changming Pearls, which—crucially—cannot be obtained through normal gameplay.
Thankfully, this premium currency is strictly cosmetic. It only unlocks visual enhancements and offers no direct gameplay benefits.
Like many live-service MMOs, *Where Winds Meet* includes familiar progression elements such as sub-stats on your gear. However, there is no connection between rerolling these sub-stats and Changming Pearls. Players cannot pay to bypass the time-gates imposed by the Stamina system either.
This complete separation of MMO progression from real-money spin-to-win or pay-for-convenience mechanics makes *Where Winds Meet* stand out positively. In fact, it’s arguably even more F2P-friendly than *Warframe*, a well-known live-service game that avoids pay-gating content.
*Read More: [Where Winds Meet review: The best, most compelling Wuxia game in years](#)*
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### Minimal Advantages for Paying Players
As expected, *Where Winds Meet* includes a premium Battle Pass with extra rewards. Additionally, there is a Monthly Pass available for purchase, which grants players some additional Stamina.
The extra Stamina allows paying players to grind slightly more without waiting for time-gates. However, this advantage is minor and negligible in the larger picture.
Compared to typical P2W MMOs—which often allow players to convert real money into top-tier gear and outright skip grinding—*Where Winds Meet* keeps these shenanigans extremely tame. The added benefits amount to small daily or weekly currency bonuses and a bit more stamina to grind for loot.
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### Gacha Mechanics Limited to Cosmetics
*Where Winds Meet* does incorporate gacha mechanics, but they are strictly limited to cosmetics. Encouragingly for free-to-play gamers, cosmetics can also be purchased without spending real money.
For example, players earn a currency called Treasure Money through gameplay, which can be used to buy cosmetics that would otherwise require Changming Pearls. While acquiring the most expensive cosmetic items through in-game currency demands days or weeks of grinding, it remains fully attainable without any purchases.
This approach aligns with the core tenet of free-to-play games: if you don’t pay money, you invest your time.
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### A Fair and Steady Progression Model
The Chinese client of *Where Winds Meet* has been live for nearly a year. According to player reports, NetEase has maintained this F2P-friendly approach consistently.
For those seeking a fair and steady progression experience in a live-service game—one that doesn’t pressure you to spend money—*Where Winds Meet* is an excellent choice.
Stay tuned for more updates, guides, and in-depth coverage on *Where Winds Meet* here at Sportskeeda.
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